How to keep your kids busy when they are bored

What to do when your kids are bored

Did you know that kids complain about being bored 122 times a month – that’s 1,500 times a year? Possibly you know that because you are a parent. I bet it can be a huge challenge to keep your kids busy. Especially if they are interested in something for 5 or 10 minutes and after that, they are still bored. So what you should do? The easiest way is to give them a digital device or let them watch a TV. But it’s not the best solution.

New research has revealed that kids have been spending just 3 hours per day away from their screens, while only 31% of parents admitted to giving a bored child a digital device to keep them occupied.

It’s important that we continue to develop core skills such as drawing and writing. Dr Martin Stephen said that drawing and writing with a pen aren’t old-fashioned and out-dated – they’re proved state-of-the-art and affordable boosters to the child’s body and brain: the ultimate fertiliser for the imagination.

Imagination is a key

I love my son’s imagination. I’m happy when he is creating stories which are super unrealistic but for him it’s normal. Or when he draws a straight line and try to persuade me that it’s a big plane. Yes, he watches TV but mostly we try to do different things with him. Drawing, reading books, singing, playing with all his toys. He loves to spend time with us and I don’t mind. I think it’s something that every parent should do.

Obviously when I need to keep him busy during a flight or long road trip the easiest way for me is to give him a tablet with his favourite cartoons or rhymes. Also, when I need to prepare a dinner or clean a house I do not hesitate to give him a screen time. But as Dr. Martin Stephen said: ‘It’s all about getting a good balance. Creativity can be encouraged via digital games but it’s important that we continue to develop core skills such as drawing and writing as it’s been proven that these skills aid creativity and imagination.’

What about screen time?

What’s goof very often parents are keen to see kids move away from digital distractions; with two-thirds (65%) feeling guilty about the amount of screen time that their children have. Just 14% of parents claim it’s natural for modern children to spend time with screens.

While the go-to forms of entertainment for children include watching TV (68%), playing with a tablet/iPad (61%) and watching YouTube (60%), parents tend to favour more traditional pastimes.

How parents banish their children’s boredom:

Playing board games with them (42%)

Putting on the TV (40%)

Providing a pen and paper for drawing/writing (39%)

Handing them a book to read (34%)

Providing a tablet/iPad (31%)

Cooking with them (26%)

Going to the zoo or park (24%)

Putting on a games console (20%)

Taking them to a friend’s house (17%)

Playing imaginary games with them (17%)

Going to the cinema or theatre

Creativity is a must

The statistics emerged in a study by BIC® KIDS as part of its Young Artist Award, which celebrates the creativity of children from across the country by taking children’s artwork beyond the fridge door and onto public billboards.

Rebecca Huda, BIC® UK and Ireland’s Product Manager – Stationery, comments: ‘It’s challenging to consider boredom as a positive thing, but I think we’re all aware that taking a bit of time away from constant noise and activity, has a positive effect. It’s good to be able to let the mind wander and through our competition, we’ve seen that kids in the UK have amazing imaginations’.

So, let them be whoever they want. Your kid wants to be a superhero? No problem. Does he want to pretend you are wizards? Go for it. Crafting, drawing, reading, painting and pretending are the best way to stop being bored and become more creative.

Great tips! Kids tend to get bored easily and its totally understandable since the have all the energy of the world lol I used to get bored when I was a kid and my mom always had some sort of craft to do with me. I loooved doing crafty stuff, I still do. I also loved painting in coloring books and playing with my neighbors.

This is why today kids should do some activity instead of using gadgets and you perfectly explained the concept. Let them be as few people said to me or make them busy with drawings, games or casual party games (which I write about) or you know anything. Give them gadget at the age of 12, at least that’s what I think.

How to keep my kids busy when they were bored was never an issue. They need to learn how to entertain themselves. And if they are bored. It means they are boring so I raised them to Entertain themselves. At least that was my approach. Good luck.

This is something a lot of parents struggled with, keeping the kids from being bored and keeping them away from screens. It is definitely challenging to always pique their interest and do other things other than playing games and watching videos. Art materials are rather handy and we absolutely love these new coloring stuff from BIC.

About Me

Ohmummymia

I'm a proud Mom of one little boy. He is a cheeky toddler with huge personality. I'm a founder of this blog- a place where every Mom can feel special. We like to talk about real life, tips, tricks, parenting advice and traveling. I'm obsessed with my family's health and dairy and gluten free food.

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